Restore the Shore Intern Reflects on Her Experience with COA

Restore the Shore Intern - Jaime Frungillo

"Unfortunately, my internship with Clean Ocean Action has come to a close. My time spent here has allowed me to apply my background knowledge of marine sciences and research to current coastal issues present in New Jersey and New York.

Most of my work has focused on reviewing and analyzing NJDEP’s water quality data with respect to current and proposed EPA criteria as well as investigating the Floatables Action Plan implementation and reviewing EPA’s surveillance flights data. This work helped with my review of Rutgers University’s Barnegat Bay nutrient study. I have also helped with the 2012 Annual Review.

Through my help with writing scoping comments for the Draft EIS to be completed for Liberty’s proposed Liquefied Natural Gas Port, COA has taught me about liquefied natural gas and energy issues. Although I did not get to participate in many Corporate Sweeps, the two I participated in taught me about New York and New Jersey’s combined sewage system, the ecology and oceanography of the NY Bight, and the decomposition of different materials found on our beaches. The Corporate Sweeps present a great way to get involved with making our beaches cleaner while still learning about the environment. At every Corporate Sweep, I learned something new. It is a great outreach activity and I encourage everyone to get involved!

I am very grateful for the opportunity to have interned with Clean Ocean Action this summer and will bring more knowledge and experience with me back to school in the fall." 

Jaime will complete her Masters in Environmental Management at the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University In May 2014.

Marine Scientist Turned Ocean Advocate

Jaime Frungillo -- Duke University Class of 2014 -- Restore the Shore Intern

Since I was a child, I loved spending time in the water and learning about the ocean and its marine life. My love for it led me to receive a BA in Marine Science at Boston University. Although I have studied marine science since I was eighteen, I have never directly contributed to marine conservation. As a New Jersey native, it is particularly important for me to research the environmental impacts of Superstorm Sandy, as well as educate others about our oceans and how to conserve them. The Restore the Shore Internship with Clean Ocean Action presents an opportunity for me to use my knowledge of marine science, gain valuable experience with public policy and citizen action, and directly participate in Beach Sweeps to remove trash from our beaches.

Currently, I am a first-year Master’s student at Duke University with a concentration in Coastal Environmental Management. Through my coursework and past work experiences, I have training in water quality, marine conservation, and education. I have taken courses in Marine Biogeochemistry and Environmental Toxicology to help understand where pollutants come from, how they end up in the water, and their environmental and social impacts. My time at Duke University has introduced me to public policy, taught me how to promote citizen participation in resource protection, and how to create unique solutions to environmental conflicts. I am happy to join COA in its efforts to raise environmental awareness and to help recovery, restoration, and rebuilding of the New Jersey and New York beaches.